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Studying a person’s hair can reveal if a senior has elevated stress hormones that could put them at a higher risk for heart disease and stroke.

A new study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism indicates that analyzing a single strand of hair could show trends in cortisol levels, a stress hormone. Older individuals who have high cortisol levels over a long period of time were more likely to have heart disease.

“Like high blood pressure or abdominal fat, the findings suggest elevated cortisol levels are an important signal that an individual is at risk of cardiovascular disease,” said study author Dr. Lauren Manenschijn of Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands in a release. “Because scalp hair can capture information about how cortisol levels have changed over time, hair analysis gives us a better tool for evaluating risk.”

Another recent study found the risk for stress-related heart attack increased significantly for middle-aged to elderly people when they were unemployed.

"In a very stressful situation [like unemployment], you can actually get a severe release of adrenaline and sympathetic nerve discharges that cause the heart to beat irregularly," said Dr. John Higgins, a sports cardiologist at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.

Osteoporosis Drug Stops Bone Loss — And Bone Growth

A drug that stops the main symptom of osteoporosis — bone loss — also slows new bone growth, according to a new study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Zoledronic acid (sold under the names Zometa, Zomera and Reclast) raises levels of a bone-growth-inhibiting biomarker.

“The key to effectively treating osteoporosis lies in increasing bone mass,” said study author Dr. Antonino Catalano of the University of Messina in Italy, in a statement. “Zoledronic acid halts bone loss, but it also signals the body to stop forming new bone mass. The drug may need to be combined with other treatments to add bone mass.”

Fractures are a common problem for those with osteoporosis, and these kinds of drugs can help prevent bone breaks. Vitamin D supplements can also help prevent bone loss.

Breast Cancer Survival Predictor Could Help With Other Cancers

A new model to predict breast cancer survival could lead to improved diagnosis and prognosis for other cancers.

Columbia University scientists identified certain gene signatures present in nearly identical forms in many cancer types. Using that data, they created a model that showed that the signatures, when combined correctly, were strong indicators for breast cancer survival.

“And if these general cancer signatures are useful in breast cancer… then why not in other types of cancer as well?” said research leader Dimitris Anastassiou in a release. “I think that the most significant — and exciting — implication of our work is the hope that these signatures can be used for improved diagnostic, prognostic and, eventually, therapeutic products, applicable to multiple cancers.”

There are many biomarker products that look at specific cancer genes in biopsies to help determine treatment.

Mental Exercises, Not Meds or Exercise, Keep Brain Fit

Keeping your mind sharp with mental exercises rather than supplements or exercises may be the best way to fend off cognitive decline and dementia.

A review of 32 randomized controlled trials published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found there was no strong evidence for drug treatments in healthy adults. It also showed there weren't many benefits from exercises, but mental exercises such as computer programs, one-on-one cognitive training helped improve memory, reasoning and more.

"This is surprising news because there are an equal amount of studies, if not more, that show the benefits of exercise," said Alice Vestergaard, EdD, MS, a professor at the College of Health, Human Services, and Science at Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa who specializes in the study of brain health in aging. "We don't want people to stop doing physical exercise as a result of this study."

Although the impact of certain supplements may not be conclusive and are in some cases contradictory, she said, it is also important people continue taking supplements prescribed by their doctors.

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